To make a full turn in one swipe, the pad needs as much width as your mouse distance per 360° plus about 8 cm for the mouse itself.
Example: at 40 cm per 360° you need about 48 cm, so a pad 50 cm wide or more.
Guide
Mousepad size.
Matched to your sens.
The lower the sens, the further you move the mouse. The pad has to keep up.
The rule of thumb
Table by mouse distance
| cm per 360° | Pad width | Fitting size |
|---|---|---|
| 20 cm | 30 cm or more | Normal pad, around 45 cm |
| 30 cm | 40 cm or more | Normal pad, around 45 cm |
| 40 cm | 50 cm or more | Wider pad, around 50 cm |
| 50 cm | 60 cm or more | Large pad or desk mat up to 90 cm |
| 60 cm | 70 cm or more | Large pad or desk mat up to 90 cm |
| 80 cm | 90 cm or more | Large pad or desk mat up to 90 cm |
| 100 cm | 110 cm or more | Wider than any pad: you will lift the mouse anyway |
You do not have to turn in one swipe
Many players lift the mouse and set it down again. A smaller pad is then enough, but it costs some calm when aiming. With a very low sens you will hardly get around it.
What about depth?
Width matters more. You move the mouse far less up and down, so about 40 cm of depth is almost always enough.
Practical tips
- Measure how much room your desk has before you order a pad. The keyboard still has to fit next to it.
- Soft or hard is a matter of taste. What counts is a smooth, even surface without dents and edges.
- No room for a big pad? Raise your sens a little until the distance fits, and test it in the sens finder.